Harbour

'The universe is transformation, life is opinion.'😺

• Since we evolved to live cooperatively in social groups, we’re psychologically predisposed to find selfishness (concern for the self) costly despite its direct benefits, and otherishness (concern for others) beneficial despite its direct costs.

• Giving to others can positively affect our psychological well-being, physical health, and relationships, but it can also lead to issues, for example when it becomes an excessive burden.

• Taking from others can negatively affect well-being, health, and relationships, since it can signal dependence and lack of competence, which can create feelings of isolation, social disconnect, and loneliness.

• People’s reasons for giving or taking can influence the psychological outcomes of their actions; for example, giving that’s motivated by selfishness may not be psychologically beneficial.

• People who truly don’t care about others (e.g., narcissists) generally don’t suffer the psychological costs of selfishness.

This isn’t to say that giving is always good or that taking is always bad. Rather, it’s about highlighting the psychological benefits and costs that they have, which we might otherwise miss.